Business aviation association events are effective advocacy platforms – a reality that was highlighted through the integration of CLIMBING. FAST.-branded elements throughout the Canadian Business Aviation Association’s (CBAA’s) recent Convention & Exhibition in Calgary, Alberta.
The campaign’s importance was evident from the start, as CBAA President and CEO Harlan Simpkins underscored the importance of the industry’s international advocacy campaign in his welcoming remarks and emphasized the need for everyone in business aviation to mobilize in giving voice to the program’s message about the sector’s importance to citizens, companies and communities in Canada and around the world.
“The CBAA continues to advocate for policies that strengthen the competitiveness of Canadian business aviation, including accelerated depreciation for business aircraft, helicopters, and flight simulators; improved airport access; practical solutions to tariffs and rising operating costs; workforce development; and ongoing efforts to educate Canadians about the essential role our industry plays,” Simpkins said. “Because business aviation is much more than aircraft. It is a critical enabler of economic growth, investment, connectivity, healthcare access, natural resource development, and business productivity in communities across Canada.”
On the exhibit floor, representatives from CBAA, NBAA and the International Business Aviation Council engaged attendees in conversations about the resources available for industry to echo the campaign’s core themes: business aviation creates jobs, drives economic activity, connects communities, helps companies of all sizes succeed, supports humanitarian lift and leads in sustainability by innovating toward a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
CBAA has a dedicated CLIMBING. FAST. website focused specifically on the sector’s essential role in Canada’s economic and transportation systems. The site includes a briefing paper with proof points, news coverage pertaining to business aviation’s societal benefits in Canada and more.
At CBAA’s Convention & Exhibition last week, CLIMBING. FAST. signage festooned the associations’ exhibitor booths, serving as a focal point for participants interested in learning more and taking action. Attendee interest was strong, with more than one hundred CLIMBING. FAST. lapel pins distributed during the exhibition, signaling the industry’s unity behind a branded international advocacy campaign for a global industry.
“It was a privilege to join with our campaign partners at CBAA with an opportunity to promote the CLIMBING. FAST. advocacy campaign, which is a key program at a critical time for the industry,” noted NBAA Director Flight Operations and Regulations Laura Everington.
“As business aviation becomes ever more global in nature, our international campaign is giving voice to the industry’s importance in Canada, in the US, before the International Civil Aviation Organization and around the world,” Everington continued. “CBAA’s event provided an outstanding opportunity for three of the campaign’s 16 stakeholder groups to showcase this program developed by industry, for industry.”
